Hunter's Arsenal: Revamped Weapons and Epic Gear in Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds: A Deep Dive into the Starting Equipment

Many Monster Hunter players cite crafting new equipment from hard-earned hunt materials as a major draw. The satisfaction of a complete armor set and matching weapon, painstakingly acquired, is a core element of the experience. This equipment crafting system, central to the series since its inception, follows a consistent theme: harness the power of slain monsters through equipment crafted from their remains. Players overcome powerful beasts, then integrate those beasts' strengths into their own arsenal to become even more formidable.

In an IGN interview, Kaname Fujioka, Executive Director and Art Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, shed light on this design philosophy: "While our designs have broadened, we were once very mindful of the concept that wearing Rathalos equipment makes you look like a Rathalos." Wilds introduces new monsters, each contributing unique and visually striking equipment. Rompopolo, a mad scientist-inspired creature, for instance, yields head armor resembling a plague doctor's mask (seen in the video below).

However, the developers emphasize the importance of the initial hunter equipment. Fujioka states, "I designed all 14 starting weapon types from scratch—a first for me. Previously, starting weapons were primitive. But our protagonist is a chosen hunter, so plain weapons felt inappropriate. I wanted even the starting gear to feel like you're a star."

Yuya Tokuda, Monster Hunter Wilds Director, adds, "In Monster Hunter: World, weapons retained a basic form, customized by monster materials. In Wilds, each weapon boasts a unique design." This reflects the game's narrative: the player is a seasoned hunter tasked with investigating the Forbidden Lands. The starting armor, the "Hope" series, is equally detailed, aligning with this established backstory.

The Hope set, a deep emerald green, transforms into a hooded long coat when complete. Fujioka explains the design challenge: "We paid more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment. Previous games had separate upper and lower body armor, preventing a cohesive coat design. We overcame this limitation by investing significant resources, creating a flowing hooded coat. While players will discover diverse equipment, we aimed for the Hope series to possess understated elegance and coolness."

Starting with such meticulously crafted equipment is a notable luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are designed to reflect the seasoned hunter persona, setting a high standard for the rest of the game. We eagerly anticipate experiencing their detail in the final release.